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Parent Preparation Handbook

First Reconciliation and First Communion 2019-2020

St. Luke Church 7575 Holliday Drive E. Indianapolis IN 46260

Tel. 317-259-4373

Sister Diane Carollo, S.G.L., Director of Religious Education Tel. 317-259-4373, ext 256

dcarollo@stluke.org

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TableofContents

TheSymbolismofthePelican……………………………………………………………3-4GeneralInformation……………………………………………………………………………5TheChurch’sTeachingontheSacramentofReconciliation………………5-7TheChurch’sTeachingontheSacramentoftheEucharist…………………7-8InformationonFirstCommunionRetreatandMasses…………………………9SecondGradeSacramentProgram–JesusourLife………………………………10

FORMEDasaResource………………………………………………………………………………………11MarkYourCalendars..…………………………………………………………………………12ActofContritionandPersonalNotes…………………………………………………..13MiscellaneousQuestions/Comments………………………………………...........14-15ForgivenVideoResourceforEntireFamily.......................………………………..16 Confession is an act of honesty and courage - an act of entrusting ourselves, beyond sin, to the mercy of a loving and forgiving God. Pope St. John Paul II Only through the Eucharist is it possible to live the heroic virtues of Christianity: charity, to the point of forgiving one's enemies; love for those who make us suffer; chastity in every age and situation of life; patience in suffering and when one is shocked by the silence of God in the tragedies of history or of one's own personal existence. You must always be Eucharistic souls in order to be authentic Christians. Pope St. John Paul II

3TheSymbolismofthePelicanbyFatherWilliamSaundersThesymbolismofthemotherpelicanfeedingherlittlebabypelicansisrootedinanancientlegendwhichprecededChristianity.Thelegendwasthatintimeoffamine,themotherpelicanwoundedherself,strikingherbreastwiththebeaktofeedheryoungwithherbloodtopreventstarvation.Anotherversionofthelegendwasthatthemotherfedherdyingyoungwithherbloodtorevivethemfromdeath,butinturnlostherownlife.Giventhistradition,onecaneasilyseewhytheearlyChristiansadaptedittosymbolizeourLord,JesusChrist.ThepelicansymbolizesJesusourRedeemerwhogaveHislifeforourredemptionandtheatonementHemadethroughHispassionanddeath.WeweredeadtosinandhavefoundnewlifethroughtheBloodofChrist.Moreover,JesuscontinuestofeeduswithHisbodyandbloodintheholyEucharist.ThistraditionandothersisfoundinthePhysiologus,anearlyChristianworkwhichappearedinthesecondcenturyinAlexandria,Egypt.Writtenbyananonymousauthor,thePhysiologusrecordedlegendsofanimalsandgaveeachanallegoricalinterpretation.Forinstancethephoenix,whichburnsitselftodeathandrisesonthethirddayfromtheashes,symbolizesChristwhodiedforoursinsandroseonthethirddaytogiveusthepromiseofeverlastinglife.Theunicornwhichonlyallowsitselftobecapturedinthelapofapurevirgin,symbolizestheincarnation.Heretoothelegendofthepelicanfeedingheryoungisdescribed:"Thelittlepelicansstriketheirparents,andtheparents,strikingback,killthem.Butonthethirddaythemotherpelicanstrikesandopenshersideandpoursbloodoverherdeadyoung.Inthiswaytheyarerevivifiedandmadewell.SoOurLordJesusChristsaysalsothroughtheprophetIsaiah:Ihavebroughtupchildrenandexaltedthem,buttheyhavedespisedme(Is1:2).WestruckGodbyservingthecreatureratherthantheCreator.ThereforeHedeignedtoascendthecross,andwhenHissidewaspierced,bloodandwatergushedforthuntooursalvationandeternallife."ThisworkwasnotedbySt.Epiphanius,St.BasilandSt.PeterofAlexandria.ItwasalsopopularintheMiddleAgesandwasasourceforthesymbolsusedinthevariousstonecarvingsandotherartworkofthatperiod.Clearlythepelicanbecameasymbolofcharity.ReferencetothepelicananditsChristianmeaningarefoundinRenaissanceliterature:Dante(1321)inthe"Paridiso"ofhisDivineComedyreferstoChristas"ourPelican."JohnLylyinhisEuphues(1606)wrote,"Pelicanewhostrikethbloodoutofitsownebodyetodoothersgood."Shakespeare(1616)inHamletwrote,"Tohisgoodfriendthuswide,Illopemyarms/And,likethekind,life-renderingpelican/Repastthemwithmyblood."JohnSkelton(1529)inhisArmorieofBirds,wrote,"ThensaydthePellycan:WhenmyByrdtsbeslayne/WithmybloudeIthemrevyve.Scripturedothrecord/ThesamedydourLord/Androsefromdethtolyve."Thepelicanalsohasbeenpartofourliturgicaltradition.Asmentionedinthequestionposedbythereader,theimageofthepelicanfeedingitsbabypelicanswasapopularartworkonanaltarfrontal.Inearlytimes,whentabernaclesweresometimessuspendedoverthealtar,theywereshapedlikepelicans:forexample,DurhamCathedral,towhichwasattachedaBenedictinemonasterypriortothesuppressionofthemonasteriesbyHenryVIII1538,hadtheBlessedSacramentreservedinatabernaclefashionedinsilverlikeapelicanandsuspendedovertheHighAltar.Inthehymn"Adorotedevote,"thesixthverse(writtenbySt.ThomasAquinasandtranslatedintoEnglishbyGerardManleyHopkins)reads,

LikewhattendertalestellofthePelicanBatheme,JesusLord,inwhatThyBosomranBloodthatbutonedropofhasthepowrtowinAlltheworldforgivenessofitsworldofsin.

4Therefore,theimageofthepelicanisastrongreminderofourLord,whosufferedanddiedforustogiveuseternallifeandwhonourishesusonourpilgrimwaywiththeHolyEucharist.Maythatimagemoveustoshowthesamecharityandself-givinglovetowardall.

5GeneralInformation

Duringyourchild’ssecondgradeyear,heorshewillbepreparedforthesacramentsofReconciliation(Penance)andEucharist.Youwillalsobeaskedtoattendtwoorientationmeetingsonthesacramentsaswellassessionsonthetheologyofthesacraments.Seethecalendaronpage10forthemeetingdates.ThistimealsoprovidesparentswiththeopportunitytoreaffirmtheircommitmenttothepracticeoftheCatholicFaith,andtodeepentheirrelationshipwithChrist.ThisrenewedcommitmentnecessarilyinvolvesparticipationatMassandthereceptionofthesacraments.ItalsosignalsacommitmenttoupholdthePreceptsoftheChurch.Ifyou’veneverheardaboutthem,seethelistbelow.

1. ToattendMassandrestfromservilelaboronSundaysandHolyDaysofObligation.2. ToreceivetheSacramentofReconciliationatleastonceayear,especiallyifawareofcommitting

amortalsin.3. ToreceiveHolyCommunionatleastonceayear,betweentheFirstSundayofLentandTrinity

Sunday.4. ToobservethefastdaysandabstinencedaysestablishedbytheChurch.5. TocontributetothematerialsupportoftheChurch.

Church’sTeachingonthereconciliationFromtheCatechismoftheCatholicChurchTheCatechismoftheCatholicChurchprovidesthegroundworkforunderstandingwhatCatholicsbelieve.DespitethefactthatmanyCatholicparentsarewelleducatedinvariousfields,therealityisthatmanyareundereducatedintheirCatholicfaith.ReadingandstudyingtheCatechismisoneofthebestways

parentscanexploretheCatholicfaithinallitsrichness.

BelowareparagraphsfromtheCatechismontheSacramentofReconciliation.1485"Ontheeveningofthatday,thefirstdayoftheweek,"Jesusshowedhimselftohisapostles."He

breathedonthem,andsaidtothem:'ReceivetheHolySpirit.Ifyouforgivethesinsofany,theyareforgiven;ifyouretainthesinsofany,theyareretained"'(Jn20:19,22-23).

1486TheforgivenessofsinscommittedafterBaptismisconferredbyaparticularsacramentcalledthesacramentofconversion,confession,penance,orreconciliation.

1487ThesinnerwoundsGod'shonorandlove,hisownhumandignityasamancalledtobeasonofGod,

andthespiritualwell-beingoftheChurch,ofwhicheachChristianoughttobealivingstone.

1488Totheeyesoffaithnoevilisgraverthansinandnothinghasworseconsequencesforsinnersthemselves,fortheChurch,andforthewholeworld.

1490ThemovementofreturntoGod,calledconversionandrepentance,entailssorrowforandabhorrenceofsinscommitted,andthefirmpurposeofsinningnomoreinthefuture.Conversion

touchesthepastandthefutureandisnourishedbyhopeinGod'smercy.

1491ThesacramentofPenanceisawholeconsistinginthreeactionsofthepenitentandthepriest'sabsolution.thepenitent'sactsarerepentance,confessionordisclosureofsinstothepriest,andthe

6intentiontomakereparationanddoworksofreparation.

1493OnewhodesirestoobtainreconciliationwithGodandwiththeChurch,mustconfesstoapriestall

theunconfessedgravesinsheremembersafterhavingcarefullyexaminedhisconscience.theconfessionofvenialfaults,withoutbeingnecessaryinitself,isneverthelessstronglyrecommendedbytheChurch.

1494Theconfessorproposestheperformanceofcertainactsof"satisfaction"or"penance"tobeperformedbythepenitentinordertorepairtheharmcausedbysinandtore-establishhabitsbefittinga

discipleofChrist.

1495OnlypriestswhohavereceivedthefacultyofabsolvingfromtheauthorityoftheChurchcanforgivesinsinthenameofChrist.

1496ThespiritualeffectsofthesacramentofPenanceare:-reconciliationwithGodbywhichthepenitentrecoversgrace;-reconciliationwiththeChurch;-remissionoftheeternalpunishmentincurred

bymortalsins;-remission,atleastinpart,oftemporalpunishmentsresultingfromsin;-peaceandserenityofconscience,andspiritualconsolation;-anincreaseofspiritualstrengthfortheChristian

battle.

Areallsinsequal?Whenapersongoestoconfession,allmortal(grave)sinsmustbeconfessed.Venial(lesser)sinsdonotneedtobeconfessed,butitisrecommendedtodoso.Whenonlyvenialsinsareconfessed,thepersonis

makingadevotionalconfession.Tolearnmoreaboutthedifferencebetweenmortalandvenialsins,readparagraphs1854-1859.

SomepracticalspiritualbenefitsfromgoingtoconfessionIthelpsustogrowinself-knowledge.St.AugustineandmanyothersaintsanddoctorsoftheChurchhavetaughtthatknowingourselvesisessentialtohavingahealthyspirituallife.Self-knowledgehelpsustoappreciateourneedforGod’songoinghelpandgraceinourlives.FrequentConfessionremindsusthatweneedtodependonGodinordertoovercometemptationsandsin.Ithelpsustoovercomebadhabitsandsininourlives.Thegracewereceivefromthesacramenthelpsustowinthebattleagainstbadhabitsorvices.Badhabitsareacquiredwiththerepetitionofbadactions.Badhabitsmaybebrokenmorequicklyandeffectivelywhenwegotoconfessionregularly.TheconscienceispurifiedTheconscience,ifwellformed,teachesuswhatisrightorwrong.Sinoftendistortstheconscienceormakesitinsensitivetothetruth.ConfessionpurifiesourconsciencesothatwecanrecognizeGod’swillinthecircumstancesofourdailylives.Confessionenlightensandpurifiesourconscience.IthelpsusbecomemorelikeChrist.Itimpartsgracetooursouls.GracestrengthensustobecomemoreconformedtoJesusChristinwordanddeed.EverycanonizedsaintintheChurchwenttoconfessionnotonlywiththedesiretoovercomesinandsinfultendencies,butalsotobecomemorelovingandChrist-like.Confessionisthelaunchingpadforalifeofauthenticholiness.Itstrengthensourwill.Godstrengthensourwillwithhisgrace.Throughconfession,wegainself-controlandgrowinourdesireandcommitmenttoresistthetemptationsthatcrossourpathinlife.Webecomemoredeterminedtodo

7God’swillandnotourown.Self-will,self-absorptionandself-seekingaretheroadmaptosinthatleadsusawayfromtheWillofGod.CelebrationoftheSacramentofReconciliationFirstConfessionsforthesecondgradeisonSaturday,December15,at11:00a.m.inthechurch.Arrival:Pleasearrivenolaterthan10:40a.m.andbeseatedinchurchby10:50a.m.AbriefPenanceServicewillbeconductedbeforethechildrengotoconfession.Pleasenotethattheteachers/catechistswillassistthechildrenastheygotothepriests.Sincetherewillbenumerouspriestshearingconfessions,weencourageparentstoavailthemselvesoftheopportunitytogotoconfessionafterallthechildrenhavefinished.

TheChurch’steachingsontheEucharistFromtheCatechismoftheCatholicChurchFromtheparagraphsbelowintheCatechismoftheCatholicChurch,welearnthefollowing:1324TheEucharistis"thesourceandsummitoftheChristianlife."Theothersacraments,andindeedallecclesiasticalministriesandworksoftheapostolate,areboundupwiththeEucharistandareorientedtowardit.ForintheblessedEucharistiscontainedthewholespiritualgoodoftheChurch,namelyChristhimself,ourPasch."1337TheLord,havinglovedthosewhowerehisown,lovedthemtotheend.KnowingthatthehourhadcometoleavethisworldandreturntotheFather,inthecourseofamealhewashedtheirfeetandgavethemthecommandmentoflove.163Inordertoleavethemapledgeofthislove,inordernevertodepart

fromhisownandtomakethemsharersinhisPassover,heinstitutedtheEucharistasthememorialofhisdeathandResurrection,andcommandedhisapostlestocelebrateituntilhisreturn;"therebyheconstitutedthempriestsoftheNewTestament."164

1338ThethreesynopticGospelsandSt.Paulhavehandedontoustheaccountoftheinstitutionofthe

Eucharist;St.John,forhispart,reportsthewordsofJesusinthesynagogueofCapernaumthatpreparefortheinstitutionoftheEucharist:Christcallshimselfthebreadoflife,comedownfromheaven.165

1339JesuschosethetimeofPassovertofulfillwhathehadannouncedatCapernaum:givinghisdiscipleshisBodyandhisBlood:

ThencamethedayofUnleavenedBread,onwhichthepassoverlambhadtobesacrificed.SoJesussent

PeterandJohn,saying,"Goandpreparethepassovermealforus,thatwemayeatit...."Theywent...andpreparedthepassover.Andwhenthehourcame,hesatattable,andtheapostleswithhim.Andhesaidtothem,"IhaveearnestlydesiredtoeatthispassoverwithyoubeforeIsuffer;forItellyouIshall

noteatitagainuntilitisfulfilledinthekingdomofGod."....Andhetookbread,andwhenhehadgiventhankshebrokeitandgaveittothem,saying,"Thisismybodywhichisgivenforyou.Dothisinremembranceofme."Andlikewisethecupaftersupper,saying,"Thiscupwhichispouredoutforyouis

theNewCovenantinmyblood."166

81340BycelebratingtheLastSupperwithhisapostlesinthecourseofthePassovermeal,Jesusgavethe

JewishPassoveritsdefinitivemeaning.Jesus'passingovertohisfatherbyhisdeathandResurrection,thenewPassover,isanticipatedintheSupperandcelebratedintheEucharist,whichfulfillstheJewishPassoverandanticipatesthefinalPassoveroftheChurchinthegloryofthekingdom.

"Dothisinmemoryofme"

1341ThecommandofJesustorepeathisactionsandwords"untilhecomes"doesnotonlyaskusto

rememberJesusandwhathedid.Itisdirectedattheliturgicalcelebration,bytheapostlesandtheirsuccessors,ofthememorialofChrist,ofhislife,ofhisdeath,ofhisResurrection,andofhisintercessioninthepresenceoftheFather.167

1342FromthebeginningtheChurchhasbeenfaithfultotheLord'scommand.OftheChurchof

Jerusalemitiswritten:Theydevotedthemselvestotheapostles'teachingandfellowship,tothebreakingofbreadandtheprayers....Daybyday,attendingthetempletogetherandbreakingbreadintheir

homes,theypartookoffoodwithgladandgeneroushearts.168

1343Itwasaboveallon"thefirstdayoftheweek,"Sunday,thedayofJesus'resurrection,thattheChristiansmet"tobreakbread."169FromthattimeondowntoourowndaythecelebrationoftheEucharisthasbeencontinuedsothattodayweencounteriteverywhereintheChurchwiththesame

fundamentalstructure.ItremainsthecenteroftheChurch'slife.

1406Jesussaid:"Iamthelivingbreadthatcamedownfromheaven;ifanyoneeatsofthisbread,hewillliveforever;...hewhoeatsmyfleshanddrinksmybloodhaseternallifeand...abidesinme,andIinhim"(Jn6:51,54,56).

UnderstandingTransubstantiation

“Transubstantiation”isatheologicaltermthatdescribesthecompletechangeofthesubstance(what

somethingisinitsdeepestbeing)ofbreadintothesubstanceofJesusChrist.Whilethesubstancechanges,theaccidents(externalfeatures)remainthesame.Whatlookslikeawafer,tasteslikeawafer,andbreaksapartlikeanordinarywaferisactuallytheBody,Blood,SoulandDivinityofJesusChrist.

EffectsoftheEucharistinthelifeofCatholic

! AnincreasedanddeepenedunionwithJesus

! Forgivenessofvenial(lesser)sins

! Astrengtheningtoavoidfuturemortal(serious)sins

! Areinforcedunionwithallotherbelievers,whoaretheChurch

! Apreparationofthebodyforbodilyresurrection

9FIRSTHOLYCOMMUNIONRETREATANDMASSESFirstHolyCommunionRetreatOnSaturday,March7,from9:00a.m.to11:30p.m.therewillbearetreatforthechildrenpreparingforCommunion.Atleastoneparentshouldparticipatewiththeirchild.Theretreatwillbegininchurchat9:00a.m.Parentsandchildrenshouldarrivenolaterthan8:45a.m.tosigninandlearntheirgroupassignments.TheretreatconcludeswithBenedictioninchurch.DateofFirstCommunionFirstHolyCommunionswillbecelebratedonSaturday,April25.ThetwoMassesareat10:00a.m.and1:00p.m.FormstoselectaMasswillbedistributedattheEucharistOrientationmeetingonSunday,January12.Otherformsregardingparticipationofpriests,deacons,andExtraordinaryMinistersofHolyCommunionwillalsobedistributed.PhotographyEachyearwehaveprofessionalphotographersattheFirstCommunionMasses.Individualphotosandgroupphotoswillbeofferedtoparents.ThedetailsandpricingwillbeprovidedattheEucharistOrientationonSunday,January12.Parents,familymembersandfriendsshouldnottakeflashphotosduringtheCommunionMass.Noonemayleavethepewto“getashot.”OurprofessionalphotographersprovidetheirservicesduringtheMassandarerespectfuloftheliturgy.FirstCommunionBannersEachchildwillcreateabannerthatwillbedisplayedinthechurchattheFirstCommunionMasses.DirectionsonhowtodesignthebannerwillbedistributedattheEucharistOrientationmeetingonJanuary12.ThebannersshouldbecompletedandreturnedattheFirstHolyCommunionRetreatonMarch7.PracticesTherewillbetwopracticesforFirstHolyCommuniononThursday,April23.DependingontheMassselected,thepracticeswillbeconductedat6:15p.m.or7:15p.m.Thepracticesarenotinterchangeable.DressCodeGirls

! Whitedress! Whiteveilsorfloralwreathes! NopursesorglovesduringMass

Boys! Suitsorsportscoatsareappropriate! Dressshirtandtie,ordressshirtandvest! Noprayerbooks,rosariesorobjectsduringMass

Seating! ThechildrenwillmarchinatthebeginningofMassandsitoneithersideofthecenteraisle.

FollowingtheSignofPeace,theywillbeseatedwiththeirparents.ParentsandFirst! Communicantswillbeassignedpews.Only12peopleperpewarepermitted.Oldersiblings,

relativesandfriendsaretobeseatedbehindalltheFirstCommunicantsandtheirfamilies.Atthepractice,theseatswillbeassigned.

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JESUSOURLIFE

TheFirstReconciliationandFirstEucharisttextandactivitybooksthatareusedinthesacramentprogramarefromJesusOurLife,BookTwointheFaithandLifeSeries.FaithandLifeispublishedby

IgnatiusPress.TheUSCCB(UnitedStatesConferenceofCatholicBishops)haslistedFaithandLifeamongthecatecheticalbooksandseriesthatareinconformitywiththeCatechismoftheCatholicChurch.

JesusOurLifeThestudentsarepreparedforthesacramentsofPenanceandFirstHolyCommunionthroughstudyingthedevelopmentofsalvationhistory.AsstudentslearnaboutGod’splanofloveandmercy,theybegintounderstandthatthesesacramentsareGod’sgifttousandthattheytooarepartofGod’slovingplan.Specialemphasisisgiventopreparationforandreceptionofthesesacraments,aswellaslearningabouttheMass.Creed/ScriptureSacramentsStudentsdevelopanunderstandingofthemysteryofChristthroughageappropriateteachingsonChurchdoctrineandscripturalreferencesaslistedbelowandintheteacher’smanual.ChristianLivingThroughoutthesecondgrade,studentsdeveloptheirunderstandingofthedignityofthehumanperson.StudentslearntoliveouttheirfaithandrespondtowhattheylearnbyformingamoralconscienceandbylivingouttheircalltojusticeandservicethroughimitatingthelifeofJesus.PrayerThroughoutthesecondgrade,studentscontinuetheirdevelopmentofaprayerlifethatincludeslearningthebasictraditionalCatholicprayersandprayingspontaneousprayers.TheycontinuetolearnthatprayeristalkingwithGod.SpecialemphasisisgiventolearningabouttheMassastheperfectformofprayer.SacramentalPreparationStudentswillstudytheSacramentsofPenanceandHolyCommunioninpreparationtoreceivethemforthefirsttime.Theywilllearnaboutsin,God’smercy,confessionofsins,reconciliation,thestepstoagoodconfession,andthematter,form,effects,andministeroftheSacramentofPenance.TheywillalsostudythePassover,LastSupper,theinstitutionoftheEucharist,transubstantiation,thepriesthood,sacrifice,theorderandpartsoftheMass,personalunionwithChristinHolyCommunion,Eucharisticdevotion,andthematter,form,effects,andministeroftheSacramentofHolyCommunion.TheSacramentofPenanceisstudiedinchapters17,18,19,20,and30.TheSacramentofHolyCommunionisstudiedinchapters22,25,27,28,30,and33.

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FORMEDAsyourchildrenlearnmoreabouttheirCatholicfaith,weinviteparentstoalsobecomebetterinformedaboutCatholicismthroughourparishsubscriptiontoFORMED.FORMEDhasinspiringmoviesandvideobasedstudies,audiotalksande-booksfromtheChurch'smostcompellingspeakersandauthors.Callita“FaithCE–aFaithContinuingEducation”resource.

! FantheflamesofyourfaithbypreparingforMasseachSundaybywatchinganinsightfulfive-minutevideoontheSundayReadingsusingOpeningtheWord

! Enjoyafamilymovienightbywatchinganentertainingandmeaningfulreligiousvideo! Enrichyourmarriagewiththeaward-winningvideoprogramBELOVED! Helpyourchildrengrowinfaithandcharacterwithengagingchildren’smaterials.

SignupisEASY!Simplygotowww.FORMED.orgtoregisteryouremail.Useourparishcode298816WanttogetFORMEDon-the-go?Learnmoreatapp.formed.orgtodownloadtheFORMEDappforallyoursmartdevices.Then,beautifulCatholiccontentisonly1clickaway,anytimeandanyplace. 300+episodesofvideo-basedstudyprograms35+featurefilmsandmovies45+audiopresentations25+eBooksAvailableinEnglishandSpanish!Available24/7

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MARKYOURCALENDARSFORIMPORTANTDATESIN2019-2020

CalendarforSt.LukeSchoolparentsandSMREparents

Pleasenotethatparentsarerequiredtoattendthemeetingsscheduledbelowiftheywanttheirchildtocelebratethesacraments.

FormalregistrationforFirstReconciliationandCommunionisrequired.Gototheparishwebsiteforonlineregistrationathttp://www.stluke.org/sacraments.

RegistrationforSMREparentsis$85.perchild.ThereisnofeeforSt.LukeSchoolchildrensincetheirbookfeesare

coveredthroughtheirschoolcosts.

Parentsofschoolchildrenshouldhavesubmittedacopyoftheirchild’sbaptismcertificateatthetimeofenrollment.Ifnot,pleasesubmitacopyofthebaptismcertificatetoSisterDianeattheParishOfficeatthetimeof

registration.

SMREparentsarealsorequiredtosubmitcopiesoftheirchild’sbaptismcertificateatthetimeofregistration.

SMREclassesbeginonSunday,August18.Registrationisrequiredpriortothefirstdayofreligiouseducation

classes.ChildrenattendingSt.LukeSchoolshouldberegisterednolaterthanAugust30.

CalendarFirstReconciliationandFirstHolyCommunion2019-2020

Date Time Location Event

Sunday,Sept.15 10:45a.m.

Fr.CourtneyRoom Orientationforparentsonly

Thursday,Oct.3 7:00p.m. Fr.CourtneyRoom TheologyofReconciliation(Parentsonly)

11:00a.m. MainChurch FirstConfessions

Sunday,Jan.12 10:45a.m. Fr.CourtneyRoom Orientationforparents

Thursday,Feb.6 7:00p.m. Fr.CourtneyRoom TheologyoftheEucharistfor(Parentsonly)

Thursday,Apr.23 6:15or7:15p.m.

PracticesforFirstHolyCommunion

Childrenin

MainChurch

6:15p.m.practicefor10:00Mass

7:15p.m.practicefor1:00p.m.Mass

Saturday,Mar.7

Childrenandatleast

oneparent

9:00-11:30a.m.

OpeningPrayerin

MainChurch

FirstHolyCommunionRetreat

Saturday,Apr.25

FirstCommunions

ReservedseatingforparentsandFirstCommunicantonly

10:00a.m./1p.m.

Doesn’tfulfillSundayobligation

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ACTOFCONTRITION(TOBEMEMORIZEDBEFOREFIRSTRECONCILIATION)

MyGod,Iamsorryformysinswithallmyheart.Inchoosingtodowrongandfailingtodogood,IhavesinnedagainstyouwhomIshouldloveaboveallthings.Ifirmlyintend,withyourhelp,todopenance,tosinnomore,andtoavoidwhateverleadsmetosin.OurSaviorJesusChristsufferedanddiedforus.Inhisname,myGod,havemercy.

PERSONALNOTES________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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MiscellaneousQuestionsandCommentsRegardingSacramentalPreparation

1.Whatroledoparentsplayinthesacramentalpreparationofthetheirchildren?ParentsarethemostimportantadultCatholicsinthelifeoftheirchild.AtbaptismyoupromisedGodthatyouwouldraiseyoursonordaughterintheCatholicfaith.Concretely,thismeansthatyouwill

providethenecessaryreligiouseducationforyourchildinthefaith.ItalsomeansthatyouwillshowyourchildthatfaithinGodissomethingrealandpracticalandpartofeverydaylife.TheexpectationisthatyouwillbringyoursonordaughtertoMasseverySundayandholydayofobligation.

2.HowoftenshouldCatholicsreceiveHolyCommunion?

TheChurchencouragesthefaithfultoreceiveHolyCommunionatMass.Inotherwords,theChurchencouragesthefaithfultoreceivetheEucharistfaithfullyandfrequently.However,receivingtheEucharistisonly“required”atleastonceayear.Ifapersonhascommittedmortalsin,heorshemustgo

tosacramentalconfessionbeforereceivingJesusintheEucharist.

3.DoadultsandchildrenneedtofastbeforereceivingHolyCommunion?TheChurchproscribesaone-hourfastbeforereceivingtheEucharist.Thismeanswedon’teatordrink.Nocoffee,teaorotherbeveragesshouldbeconsumed.Unlessthereisamedicalreasontodootherwise,thefastisobligatory.Notethatitisalsoinappropriatetochewgumoreatcandyinchurch.Foodanddrinkshouldneverbecasuallyconsumedinchurchatanytime!TodosowouldbetoshowdisrespecttoJesusintheTabernacle.Anexampleofanexceptionwouldbeifapersonhasamedicalconditionlikediabetesthatrequiresthepersontoconsumeasugareddrinkorpiecesofcandy.4.WhatprayersshouldIteachmychild?MonsignorSchaedeldirectsallteachersandcatechiststodistributeCatholicprayerbooksatthe

beginningoftheyearthathehasapproved.Itishighlyrecommendedthatparentshelptheirchildrenmemorizethebasicprayersfortheiragegroup.ChildrenreceivingfirstreconciliationshouldmemorizetheActofContrition.Theprayerappearsatthetopofpage13.

AreyouawarethatatSt.Luke,wehaveaperpetualadorationchapel?Asyouenterthefrontdoorsofthechurch,turnright.Thefirstdoorontheright,beforetheDailyMassChapel,istheperpetual

adorationchapel.TheBlessedSacramentisexposed24/7foradoration.WeencourageparentstobringtheirchildrenforbriefvisitstoadoreourLordwhenpossible.

5.WhatinformationdoIneedtosubmitbeforemychildreceivesthesacraments?WearerequiredbytheChurchtoobtaintheBaptismalinformationbeforeachildisallowedtoreceive

thesacramentsofPenanceandCommunion.Pleaseobtainacopyofyourchild’sbaptismcertificatefromthechurchinwhichheorshewasbaptized.IfyourchildwasbaptizedatSt.LukeParish,youneedonlyprovideuswiththedateofBaptism.

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6.Isthereafeeforclasses?ThetuitionfeefortheprogramtopreparechildrenforthesacramentsintheSMREprogramis$85.Thisfeecoversthecostofthestudenttextbook,workbookandothermaterialsneededintheprogram.

Pleasecheckthereligiouseducationwebsiteforonlinedonations.St.LukeSchoolcoversthecostofmaterialsusedforsacramentalpreparation.Noadditional

feesarerequiredforschoolparents.However,theregistrationformneedstobesubmittedwiththebaptismalinformation!

7.WhydoyoungchildrenneedtobepreparedforFirstPenancebeforeFirstEucharist?ItisthepracticeorthenormthroughouttheChurchthatchildren,beforetheyreceivetheirFirst

Eucharist,firstreceivetheSacramentofPenanceorReconciliation.TheChurchteachesthat“childrenmustgotothesacramentofPenancebeforereceivingHoly

Communionforthefirsttime”(CatechismoftheCatholicChurch,No.1457);and,“Itisprimarilythedutyofparents,aswellasthedutyofpastors,totakecarethatthechildrenwhohavereachedtheuseofreasonarepreparedproperlyand,aftertheyhaveasacramentalconfession,arerefreshedwiththis

divinefood”(Canon914).

8.Whatistheageofreasonandhowisthisrelatedtothesacraments?ChildrenarepreparedforPenanceandCommunionwhentheyhavereachedtheageofreason.Infantsandsmallchildrenlacksufficientmaturitytodistinguishbetweenrightandwrongand

thereforearenotconsideredresponsiblefortheiractions.“Withthecompletionoftheseventhyear,aminorispresumedtohavetheuseofreason”(Canon97.2).Ofcourse,thisageisnotexact.Somemayarriveatthisageearlier,otherslaterornotatall,dependingonintelligenceandothercriticalfactors.

Childrenwhohavereachedtheageofreasonareabletothinkabstractlyandapplygeneralprinciplesto

specificlifesituations.Childrenwhohavereachedtheageofreasonknowthedifferencebetweengoodandevil.

9.WhenmaymychildwearhisorherFirstHolyCommunionoutfitagain?WewelcometheFirstCommunicantstoweartheiroutfitsagainonSunday,April26.TheFirstHolyCommunionMassesonSaturday,April25DONOTFULFILLTHESUNDAYOBLIGATION.Therefore,

pleaseplanongoingtoMassonSundaywithyourchildrendressedintheirspecialoutfits.Theywillberecognized!Also,thechildrenmayweartheirFirstCommunionoutfitsonSunday,June14(CorpusChristi—TheMostHolyBodyandBloodofChrist)atanyoftheMasses.Ifthereisaspecialdevotionafter

the11:30a.m.Masswithaprocession,theFirstCommunicantswillbeinvitedtoparticipate.

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Prepare for the Sacrament of RECONCILIATION with your Child and entire family!

www.STLUKE.FORMED.org Parish Code 298816

Forgiven: The Transforming Power of Confession explores the grace and healing offered in Confession and shows how this sacrament of mercy

reveals the depth and bounty of God’s love. By looking at God’s revelation of his mercy in Scripture and making a step-by-step

examination of the Rite itself, Forgiven communicates God’s invitation to each one of us to come experience His indescribable love in the

Sacrament of Reconciliation. We invite you to watch these sessions for yourself and the family!

If you do not yet have a Free FORMED account through our parish, simply REGISTER yourself! (Use parish access code 298816)

Session 1: Where are You?

Session 2: An Encounter with Mercy

Session 3: Embraced in Mercy: The Rite Explained

For CHILDREN: How to Make a Good Confession (12:35 minutes)

NEW! You can now access FORMED ON THE GO!

www.app.formed.org

FREE TO REGISTER WWW.STLUKE.FORMED.ORG